German Red Hardneck Rocambole Garlic - Organic

Allium sativum Red-burgundy outer wrapper leaves and a lighter brown clove covering. Typically 6–12 cloves per bulb; double cloves are common. Stores well for up to 6 months, longer with good storage. Said to be a medieval strain of garlic brought to North America in the 1700s.

45–65 cloves per pound. Z3–8. Maine Grown. BACK!

This item is certified organic

6233 German Red -

Item	Discounted Price
A: 0.5 bulbs for $16.50		sold out
B: 2 lb for $58.00		sold out
C: 10 lb for $250.00		sold out
D: 25 lb for $515.00		sold out

Additional Information

Rocambole Garlic

This Hardneck type produces 5–13 medium-large cloves with tan, brown or reddish skins, slightly loose and relatively easy-peeling. A shorter shelf life than Porcelains, maybe because the clove skins are looser, or because of a slight tendency to split cloves. Generally, stores well through February, and—if well cured and in optimal storage—can store months longer. Some claim Rocamboles have the finest, richest flavor.

Scapes form tight coils. Forms 8–25 bulbils, the size of peas. 45–65 cloves/lb

Seed Garlic

The bulb size, the skin color, the flavor, and the size and number of cloves are partly determined by genetics, and partly by soil and weather. Our size standard for a seed garlic bulb is 2" diameter, but we reserve the right to ship smaller garlic in difficult crop years. Fedco requires every lot of garlic to test negative for both garlic bloat nematode and white rot.

All our garlic is hardy Zones 3-8. See the USDA Hardiness Zone map for more information.

Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck garlic has a hard stalk in the center of the bulb, and (the vast majority of the time) only one ring of cloves. Plant grows an edible scape, a tall leafless stalk with a flower-like top. Not braidable, but can be tied in attractive bundles and hung.

Cut off the scape before it uncurls to get the best bulb size. Not easy on a commercial scale, but on a smaller scale it’s not much work, plus fresh tops are great in salads, stir-fries, pickles, pesto! If you leave the tops on, the below-ground bulb will likely be smaller, but you’ll get a membrane full of bulbils, which you can plant if so inspired.

Hardnecks are closer to wild garlic, and have a greater range of character and more complex flavor than softneck. Hardnecks are much hardier, thus recommended for cold climates.

Softneck garlic (which we’ve offered in the past) produces multiple rings of cloves and a soft braidable top. Softneck types have mostly lost the ability to produce a stalk with flowering parts—but sometimes they bolt and produce extra “cloves” in the stem. Growers like softneck varieties for their extra-long shelf life in cold storage.